Home rule coasts to approval in Chandler

To the relief of Chandler officials fearing a budget crisis, it looks like voters understood that the city's home rule override isn't a tax increase and that it's important.

Unofficial early results had the measure, Proposition 300,passing by 82 percent.

Mayor Boyd Dunn said the issue was a tough one to explain but the overwhelming victory is a sign that Chandler voters were educated and informed.

"I would have been happy with any majority, but this percentage was impressive," he said.

The public vote mandated every four years, home rule allows cities to spend whatever they take in from taxes, fees and grants and gives City Councils budgeting authority. Chandler, where voters have approved home rule seven times, was the only Valley municipality put the issue on this special election ballot.

If the measure had failed, Chandler's municipal spending would have reverted to a complicated 1980 formula. City officials said that would have forced $49 million in budget cuts and drastic service reductions. Dunn said home rule was likely intended to give voters more control of their local budgets "but it makes little sense in today's world."